Site Management Support (SMS) Assistant

Introduction

The Danish Refugee Council assists refugees and internally displaced persons across the globe: we provide emergency aid, fight for their rights, and strengthen their opportunity for a brighter future. We work in conflict-affected areas, along the displacement routes, and in the countries where refugees settle. In cooperation with local communities, we strive for responsible and sustainable solutions. We work toward successful integration and – whenever possible – for the fulfillment of the wish to return home.

The Danish Refugee Council was founded in Denmark in 1956 and has since grown to become an international humanitarian organization with more than 7,000 staff and 8,000 volunteers. Based in Copenhagen (Denmark) and present in forty countries, the Danish Refugee Council is a non-profit-making, politically independent, non-governmental and non-denominational relief organization.

Our vision is a dignified life for all displaced. All our efforts are based on our value compass: humanity, respect, independence and neutrality, participation, and honesty and transparency.

Background

The Danish Refugee Council initiated its activities in the island of Lesvos in November 2015 due to the unprecedented influx of asylum seekers. Following new political developments and displacement dynamics in early 2016, DRC expanded its activities to the mainland to support the people living in several sites across the country. With offices in Athens, Larissa and Thessaloniki, it currently implements a wide range of activities, including Site Management Support, legal assistance, identification of individual needs and protection of highly vulnerable persons, access to services within and outside the hosting sites through cultural mediation, and non-formal education. DRC works closely with the refugee communities, the Greek authorities and other humanitarian actors to ensure a protective environment for refugees and asylum seekers in Greece.  

Purpose

DRC Greece is looking to recruit a qualified, flexible and enthusiastic professional to work in a DRC site in Attica Greece as an SMS Assistant. Under the supervision of the SMS Team Leader, the Site Management Support Assistant will support the implementation of all DRC activities in the emergency reception sites in DRC’s area of responsibility and contribute to ensuring an integrated approach to site management support, including site operations, NFI and food distributions, community mobilization and general protection activities.

Duties & Responsibilities

Under the supervision of SMS Team Leader and with the support of the SMS Officer, the SMS Assistant will develop and maintain good relations with the persons of concern, relevant stakeholders and other humanitarian actors, to support adequate implementation and coordination of DRC’s SMS activities.

The main responsibilities include:

• Monitoring of activities and services provision on the emergency reception sites in DRC’s AoR, to identify existing or potential gaps and report for follow-up
• Develop and maintain extensive contacts with the relevant local authorities as well as good working relations with other humanitarian actors
• Promote a participatory approach to site management and service provision in the sites and support community mobilization activities
• Contribute to the dissemination of various communications for the persons of concern, based on agreed key messages
• Participate in needs assessments as required
• Support data collection and drafting relevant SMS information products, e.g. site reports/profiles, 4Ws, briefing notes
• Participate in coordination meetings and provide secretariat as required
• Provide inputs for internal and donor reporting, as necessary
• Any other tasks assigned by the SMS Officer to support the implementation of DRC’s SMS activities, such as:
• Assist in the delivery of information of services via the Helpdesk and ensure that all activities are monitored.
• Supervise community activities in the activity space, monitor and record for reporting reasons.
• Support the SMS Officer with admin and filing procedures, ensuring that all means of verification are kept.
• Support SMS Officer in organizing and coordinating needs assessments as required concerning the community
• Supervise and monitor distributions 
• Conduct mapping exercises and ensure all information about the community are up to date.
• Assist the Community Services officer with the delivery of activities
• Assist Site Ops team with the implementation of works whenever needed.
• In addition to the above, the SMS Assistant may be asked to carry out other duties requested by the SMS team Leader and the Area Manager. 

Required Qualifications

• Relevant degree and relevant experience in humanitarian studies, development or any other relevant field is preferred
• Excellent verbal and written English and Greek skills
• Working knowledge of Farsi/Arabic/French or other PoC languages is an added advantage
• At least one year working experience in a related field; previous working experience with local or international NGOs will be considered as a strong advantage
• Strong computer skills

Required Skills & Qualities

• Ability to work in a multinational and multicultural environment 
• Proactivity, with a sound commitment to teamwork and with a spirit of genuine collaboration
• Strong initiative and self-motivated, with a strong commitment to humanitarian principle and high sense of ethics
• Excellent communication skills, as well as patience and politeness, are needed
• Ability to cope with high workload and stress and identify priority activities and assignments, and adjust priorities as required
• Multi-tasking and organizational skills is a must, and a good sense of humor

Core Competencies of DRC: 

• Striving for excellence
• Collaboration
• Taking the lead
• Communication
• Demonstrating Integrity

Terms & Conditions

• The contract will be under the Greek Labor Law (this is a national position) 
• All allowances will be provided to the employees (Christmas, Easter, Vacation bonus)
• DRC provides training opportunities to develop and strengthen the quality of its services as well as its staff members’ professional and personal development.
• The position will be based in Attika (Greece) and national terms and conditions apply

Application Process

Are you interested? Then apply for this position on line: www.drc.dk/about-drc/vacancies/current-vacancies. All applicants must send a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages). Both must be in English.

DΡC provides equal opportunity in employment and prohibits discrimination in employment on the basis of race, sex, color, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability. DRC encourages all applicants to apply and does not practice any discrimination in any recruitment process. However, applicants must be aware that DRC cannot systemically sponsor non-EU citizen or non-Greek resident for all the steps of legal process to get a work permit and/or a residency permit in Greece. 

Applications close on the 17th of July 2020. Applications submitted after this date will not be considered.

Due to the urgency of the position, DRC has the right to recruit a candidate who matches the required profile before the above deadline.